by MICHELLE GAUTREAUX

Researching at 5, singing at 6 and songwriting at 11. Sounds like a listing of class times, right?

These are actually the milestone ages Jenna-Nicole Guidry, now a 12-year-old singer and songwriter, steadily passed in pursuit of her dreams.

Always a creative youth, Jenna-Nicole has accomplished what most people could only hope to accomplish by their mid-20s. Her parents, Scott and Becky, recognized Jenna-Nicole’s potential early on when their then 5-year-old came to them with a list of vocal coaches she had researched on the Internet. They knew then she would be a force to be reckoned with.

At age 6, Jenna-Nicole began vocal lessons with vocal coach, Kim Champagne. At the time, she focused mostly on classical, theater and even opera. Since then, she has found her love for country-pop, though she has dabbled in a little Cajun and zydeco with her song, “Louisiana Hurricane,” which debuted in 2009 and was then remixed for the Saints that same year.

Her first recording was a cover song by Crystal Shawanda, “You Can Let Go,” in memory of her grandfather. Pershing Wells, who operates Digital Sac-a-Lait Productions, produced the song in 2008. Jenna-Nicole
impressed Pershing with her natural ability in the studio after only two runs through the song. With his help, Jenna-Nicole recognized her own potential and pursued it with even more passion.

That same year, she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to perform, “You Can Let Go.” She was then featured on a local show, “Nashville Spotlight,” that features rising young country singers.

As Jenna-Nicole met more people in the industry, she happened upon the song, “All the Way to Heaven,” by singer-songwriter Chad Roland. In 2008, she approached Chad and asked if she could record it. Chad honored her request after hearing her reason for wanting to record the song. Jenna-Nicole’s maternal grandfather passed away in October 2006. When she heard the song, she instantly imagined herself “flying up to heaven to visit with Poppa once again.” Chad never imagined that anyone, especially a girl Jenna-Nicole’s age, would relate to the song just as he did. Pershing helped Jenna-Nicole record the song.

She entered the studio with her grandfather’s picture in a frame and began to sing. Without rehearsing, the song was cut and after the first recording, Jenna-Nicole broke into tears. Everyone in the recording studio was moved and speechless. That’s when a new turn in her musical path began.

Chad began to assist Jenna-Nicole in the craft of songwriting. Pershing
has been awestruck by Jenna-Nicole’s ability to dig deep within and reach for words beyond her years. The young singer’s mature and experienced lyrics are inspired mostly by her grandparents and their stories, but “Louisiana Hurricane” was written based on both her own experiences in her own backyard as well as a few stories she’s heard along the way.

The song came after spending 11 days with her parents and Chad in a Nashville hotel. She and Chad wanted to write something fun about a subject Jenna-Nicole knew well, so Louisiana culture came easy to describe for her. With Waylon Thibodeaux on the fiddle and Jenna-Nicole’s passionate vocals, the song was destined to be a success.

A remix was later rewritten with the assistance of Martin Folse, owner and president of HTV. Martin added a few cultural words to expand the audience and reflect on the history of the Saints, inspired by the football team heading to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV.

Jenna-Nicole finds inspiration in those around her. At a young age, her grandparents surrounded her with country music, and the stories they told have inspired many of the songs she has written. Her influences include recording artists like Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and The Band Perry.

In what Jenna-Nicole’s parents and the singer herself joke as the “Famous 11 Days in Nashville,” Jenna-Nicole and Chad co-wrote several songs.

“The amount of time spent in the one-room hotel room and what came out of those sessions, now that in itself can be a song,” Jenna-Nicole’s mother says as she reminisces.

Jenna-Nicole’s first single, “Last Time it Snowed on Christmas,” is set to debut sometime in late fall. Mark Bingham, musician and producer at Piety Street Recording, produced the song. He is most famous for his Boiler Room Studios in New Orleans and the many successful artists he has worked with, such as Dave Matthews, R.E.M. and James Taylor.

Her single will be another example of her maturity and talent. She has been heard as far as Australia and Great Britain and has already built a solid fan base.

“Jenna glows when she sings,” says Richard Finke, her technical vocal coach. “You can feel her energy and spirit and can’t help but be drawn to her.”

Richard has worked in the business for 20 years and is pleased to work with Jenna-Nicole and her parents, who have been consistently supportive
of their daughter.

“Jenna brings life into her songs,” says Teresa Smith, vocal coach and talent promoter. “She is a great writer and has a great personality and energy.”

Jenna-Nicole has already received awards such as Entertainer of the Year and Most Promising Vocalist of the Year from the Georgia Country
and Gospel Music Association in Dalton, Ga. She has also appeared in arenas like the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.

Pershing says Jenna-Nicole’s songs “showcase her ability to stretch beautifully from pop-country to her Louisiana roots.” Her parents say that their daughter’s drive is what keeps them supporting her and helping
her to reach her potential. Jenna-Nicole is inspired by music and pushed by her own heart. Her exuberant spirit shows passion, motivation and a love for the industry.

The young singer’s parents have gotten creative with lessons for their daughter. Jenna-Nicole receives vocal coaching via Skype, a proprietary software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet.

But her parents have also managed to keep her grounded. They expect her to keep up her good grades in school and maintain a clean room. Her preteen personality shines as she talks about her handmade jewelry and love for fashion. And she still manages to do the regular things any 12-year-old would do, like design outfits with her best friend and watch her favorite TV show, “Project Runway.”

It’s nothing different than what any girl her age is doing, but late at night when everyone else is sleeping, Jenna-Nicole burns the midnight oil, working hard on her ultimate dream of becoming a successful singer and songwriter. There’s no doubt that this young Cajun angel will spice up the charts. PoV